I asked C to make dinner tomorrow for herself and her brother, since we won’t be home. Stipulated that she indulge her brother and not make chicken. She’s making salmon rice, surprised?
I was planning a morning grocery run anyway, so picking up salmon not a big deal, but I’d been heading toward Costco, where the smallest package of salmon is 2 pounds, which is way more than I want her to use for Salmon Rice. She also asked for a baguette. Again, Costco, so minimum two baguettes. Which, as these things happen, got me fixated on salmon mousse for lunch. with that cold cider that I’ve been craving for weeks. so here we go…
This isn’t really salmon mousse. Salmon rillette doesn’t quite fit either. Salmon spread sounds much too junior league cookbook for it not have mayo or cream cheese. or both. hitting the usual references, most were totally unhelpful. Julia was too involved for lunch in a reasonable time. David Lebovitz wanted fresh and smoked fish, which I didn’t have. Texas Lone Star Junior League did, indeed, call for mayo.
so we’re winging it, riffing on David Lebovitz’s Salmon Rillettes https://www.davidlebovitz.com/recipe/salmon-rillette
Lunchtime Salmon
3/4 to 1 pound fresh salmon fillet
Sour cream – a good dollop. start with 4 oz/ half a small tub. or creme fraiche, or mayo if you insist
5-7 green onions or scallions
lemon zest- preferably Meyer. start w about half a lemon, finely grated
squeeze of lemon juice- start w about 1/4 lemon
1 tsp smoked paprika
Black pepper- several grinds
Prep the green onions- clean off any wilty bits, slice the green ends very thin, chop the white ends.
Set up a steamer basket over about an inch of water, add the white parts of the green onions to the steamer water. Steam the salmon until just opaque, about 5-8 min, depending on thickness. Remove salmon to a plate, flake with a fork to cool faster, check for bones and remove any you find.
In medium bowl, mix the sour cream, green onions, lemon zest, lemon juice, paprika & black pepper.
Gently stir in the flaked salmon. Taste. Add more of any of the mix ins as you like.
Chill if you made it early. or just slather it on baguette and try to keep your teenager from eating it all.
Serve with baguette or good crackers, some nice cheese, a sliced apple, olives, pickled red onion, etc. And a glass of chilled sparkling cider.
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